Turn Your Apple Watch into a Home Assistant

As a loyal Apple user, you likely use your iPhone, Apple Watch, or other Apple devices for a variety of reasons, from playing music and creating grocery lists to checking your heart rate or logging your run. To offer even more convenience, Apple partners with the best smart home apps and home security products, such as Brinks Home™, Amazon Alexa, and Honeywell thermostats, so you can manage your house on a network of devices.

Use the Apple Home app in conjunction with your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, or CarPlay-enabled vehicle dashboard to remotely oversee your home security system, operate your smart home, set smart alarms, and receive security notifications. Here’s what you need to know about taking advantage of home assistance with your Apple Watch.

Enable tools to secure your home

Whether you leave your home for the office or for an extended vacation, you’ll probably wonder at least once whether you left the lights on, locked the front door, or remembered to close the garage. Apple’s Home app allows you to remotely access your security system and home devices via an Apple TV (third generation or later), HomePod, or iPad. Each of these devices can act as a home hub.

To connect your iPhone and paired Apple Watch to the home-based device, access the iCloud features on your iPhone, and turn on Home. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID on all devices. Your devices will pair automatically if you’re accessing your home’s system via Apple TV and are signed into your iPhone with the same ID. Once connected, simply flip your wrist to check your Apple Watch. If you’re on the road, you can safely access home assistance via Siri voice commands.

Employ Siri for home assistance

Apple’s Home app also allows you to group specific rooms or spaces, so you can control devices throughout your home. Here are a few convenient commands you can use:

• “Turn off my office lights.”

• “Set the temperature to 67 degrees in the guest bedroom.”

• “Turn up the TV in the living room.”

• “Switch on the back porch light.”

• “Close my garage door.”

• “Arm my security system.”

To set up Siri voice commands, launch your Brinks Home Mobile App, scroll down to App Settings, and click Siri Shortcuts. Enable the toggle next to Share Activity with Siri, and select Share again after you read the pop-up. Finally, set up your voice command shortcuts so you can easily arm and operate your home alarm system.

Regulate home settings remotely

Heading out of town during a fall or winter weekend? You may want to turn the heat down a bit to save money. Upon your return, however, it’s nice to have a cozy home. On the drive back, simply tell Siri on your Apple Watch to “Turn up the heat,” and your home will warmly welcome you when you arrive. Here are a few other ways to control your home remotely via your Apple devices:

• Lock doors or windows.

• Turn the lights on and off.

• See who is at the front door.

• Keep an eye on pets.

• Switch on music or the TV to deter burglars.

• Turn on air conditioners, fans, air purifiers, or humidifiers.

• Open or close the garage door.

• Enable sprinklers to water your lawn.

You can connect many Brinks Home products, such as wireless door sensors, a video doorbell, and smoke detectors, to your Apple Watch. Contact our dedicated customer or tech support to see how your security system can integrate with your Apple and home automation devices.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.